Phototheranostics of Cervical Neoplasms with Chlorin e6 Photosensitizer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Neoplasms of the cervix are the most common types of oncological pathology. Photodynamic therapy with intravenous administration of the photosensitizer chlorin e6 shows high efficiency in the treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix with complete eradication of the human papillomavirus. The treatment method can reduce deaths from cervical cancer and preserve fertility in patients. Spectral and video fluorescence diagnostics allows intraoperatively assessing the degree of photosensitizer accumulation and photobleaching and visualizing the boundaries of pathologically altered tissues. ABSTRACT: (1) Purpose: Improving the treatment effectiveness of intraepithelial neoplasia of the cervix associated with human papillomavirus infection, based on the application of the method of photodynamic therapy with simultaneous laser excitation of fluorescence to clarify the boundaries of cervical neoplasms. (2) Methods: Examination and treatment of 52 patients aged 22 to 53 years with morphologically and cytologically confirmed mild to severe intraepithelial cervix neoplasia, preinvasive, micro-invasive, and squamous cell cervix carcinoma. All patients were carriers of human papillomavirus infection. The patients underwent photodynamic therapy with simultaneous laser excitation of fluorescence. The combined use of video and spectral fluorescence diagnostics for cervical neoplasms made it possible to control the photodynamic therapy process at all stages of the procedure. Evaluation of the photodynamic therapy of intraepithelial cervical neoplasms was carried out with colposcopic examination, cytological conclusion, and morphological verification of the biopsy material after the photodynamic therapy course. The success of human papillomavirus therapy was assessed based on the results of the polymerase chain reaction. (3) Results. The possibility of simultaneous spectral fluorescence diagnostics and photodynamic therapy using a laser source with a wavelength of 660 nm has been established, making it possible to assess the fluorescence index in real-time and control the photobleaching of photosensitizers in the irradiated area. The treatment of all 52 patients was successful after the first photodynamic therapy procedure. According to the PCR test of the discharge from the cervical canal, the previously identified HPV types were not observed in 48 patients. Previously identified HPV types were absent after repeated PDT in four patients (CIN III (n = 2), CIS (n = 2)). In 80.8% of patients, regression of the lesion was noted. (4) Conclusions. The high efficiency of photodynamic therapy with intravenous photosensitizer administration of chlorin e6 has been demonstrated both in relation to eradication therapy of human papillomavirus and in relation to the treatment of intraepithelial lesions of the cervix.